the zone system
The zones Each zone in the final image can be identified by its tone and the detail it reveals. To obtain accuracy we must become familiar with the characteristics of each zone. Zone IX. Paper white. The standard print utilizing a full tonal range uses little or no paper white in the image. Zone VIII. White without detail. The brightest highlights in the image are usually printed to this zone. Zone VII. Bright highlights with visible detail or texture. If highlight detail is required it is placed in this zone by calculated processing time. Zone VI. Light gray. Caucasian skin facing the light source is usually printed as Zone VI. Zone V. Mid-gray with 18% reflectance. A meter indicated exposure from a single tone will produce this tone as a Zone V on the negative. Zone IV. Dark gray. Shadows on Caucasian skin are usually printed as Zone IV. Zone III. Dark shadow with full detail and texture. If shadow detail is required it is placed in this zone by calculated exposure. Zone II. Shadow without detail. Zone I. Black. Zone O. Maximum black and is indistinguishable from Zone I in the printed image.
Activity 2 Refer back to the three prints created for Activity 1. Select the image with the broadest range of tones (best exposure). Label this image with the zones from I to IX. Use the description of each zone on this page to help you identify each zone. Compare and discuss your labelled image with those of other students.
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